On April twelfth, the American Folklife Middle posted one other Occupational Folklife Undertaking (OFP) assortment to the Library’s web site. The gathering, which you will discover at this hyperlink, options 15 in-depth interviews documenting the careers and work tradition of African American nurses who’re members of the Chi Eta Phi Sorority, Included, a famend traditionally Black nationwide skilled nursing group based in 1932. (We’re excited to notice this was the fiftieth OFP to be processed and made accessible to the general public – however extra on that in an upcoming weblog.)
To mark the event, AFC employees folklorist Nancy Groce interviewed the gathering’s creator, Carmen Vaughn-Hewitt, a nurse, oral historian, and Chi Eta Phi member who was awarded a 2021 Archie Inexperienced Fellowship from AFC for this analysis mission.
NANCY GROCE: First, congratulations in your glorious fieldwork that resulted within the simply launched African American Nurses: The Chi Eta Phi Sorority occupational folklife assortment. I perceive that you just’re skilled as each a nurse and an oral historian. Would you inform us a little bit about your profession?
CARMEN VAUGHN-HEWITT: Thanks! My profession in nursing spans for over 40 years. I started as a Licensed Sensible Nurse and I continued my nursing training by acquiring an Affiliate Diploma of Utilized Science in Nursing, after which the Bachelor of Science in Nursing. (I even have superior levels in theology, together with a Physician of Ministry.)
I’ve all kinds of nursing expertise. I’ve labored in trauma intensive care, surgical intensive care, medical intensive care, bodily rehabilitation, psych, analysis, occupational well being, college well being, geriatrics, and case administration.
Most of my nursing expertise has been in city areas. As a part of the nursing course of, we’re taught to acquire oral histories from the consumer/affected person. This expertise has enabled me to be an efficient oral historian.
NANCY GROCE: Listening to your interviews, I used to be impressed with the historical past and influence of Chi Eta Phi. Are you able to give us a short historical past of the sorority and why it has been so vital – each for you and for the sphere.
CARMEN VAUGHN-HEWITT: Chi Eta Phi Sorority, Included was based in 1932 at Freedmen’s Hospital (now the Howard College Hospital) in Washington, DC. It was established as a result of skilled registered nurses of African American descent had been denied membership to nationwide skilled nurse organizations. There have been additionally issues about restrictions confronted by well-trained Black nurses in segregated services and hospitals, who had been typically compelled to work menial positions with little or no likelihood for development.
Chi Eta Phi was based by Registered Nurse (RN) Ailene Carrington Ewell (1913-1997) with the help of eleven different Black registered nurses, collectively identified within the Sorority because the “Jewels,” with the targets of elevating the apply of nursing, rising curiosity within the discipline of nursing, addressing well being disparities and challenges of underserved populations, and figuring out and growing a core of profitable nurse leaders.
NANCY GROCE: I do know that Chi Eta Phi was began as a sorority, however who’re its members at this time
CARMEN VAUGHN-HEWITT: Immediately’s Chi Eta Phi Sorority is a multicultural skilled nursing group open to all. The primary male nurse joined in 1977. There are Chi Eta Phi members all through the USA and US Virgin Islands. The Sorority is split into 5 areas mainland United States.
NANCY GROCE: Inform us a bit about conducting your Archie Inexperienced Undertaking. How did you resolve who to interview?
CARMEN VAUGHN-HEWITT: Within the discipline of nursing, we come from a variety of academic backgrounds and are employed in are broad number of jobs. I believed this mission could be a fantastic alternative to showcase this range. My interviewees included nurses working in several specialties all through the well being discipline. The interviewees chosen included govt board members of Chi Eta Phi Sorority, nurse educators, male nurses, and early profession nurses. The interviewees spanned every of the Sorority’s 5 geographic areas.
NANCY GROCE: What stunned or impressed you concerning the individuals you interviewed?
CARMEN VAUGHN-HEWITT: I’m undecided I used to be stunned by something, however I used to be impressed by what number of members had been keen to participate on this oral historical past mission. I used to be pleasantly stunned by how most of the nurse educators who participated within the mission had earned doctorate levels.
Conducting the interviews gave me an infinite quantity of perception into and delight for my occupation and for my sorority. I’m assured that Chi Eta Phi Sorority’s motto “Service for Humanity” is being efficiently carried out in tangible methods by means of our tasks and membership. I’m delighted that the sphere of nursing will proceed to be enriched by the nurse educators and leaders nurtured and supported by Chi Eta Phi.
Hyperlinks
African American Nurses: The Chi Eta Phi Sorority Assortment is at this hyperlink.
Discover all of Carmen’s interviews at this hyperlink.
Chi Eta Phi Sorority might be discovered at this hyperlink.